Bates leaves string of posers over finances at Leeds

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KEN BATES, the new owner of Leeds United, claimed yesterday that the financially crippled Coca-Cola Championship club had “no debt” and sought to build bridges with sceptical fans by promising that they would own Elland Road “in the fullness of time”.

In a characteristically fractious press conference, his first since buying 50 per cent of Leeds last week, the former Chelsea chairman said that he wanted “another challenge” after temporarily leaving football with £17 million burning a hole in his pocket. “I do not play golf and I hate gin,” he said, flanked by his wife, Suzanna, and Gerald Krasner,